ISTANBUL — A powerful earthquake struck the city of Istanbul on Wednesday afternoon, prompting residents to flee buildings and gather in open areas. The quake had a magnitude of 6.2, according to preliminary reports.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
Istanbul residents described the tremor as intense and said the shaking lasted several seconds. Many people rushed into the streets following the quake, with videos shared on social media showing crowds gathered in parks and public squares.
“Everyone is out of their homes on streets,” an eyewitness told Amu TV.
The epicenter and full extent of the quake’s impact had not yet been confirmed by seismological agencies as of late Wednesday. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said it was monitoring the situation and would release further details as they became available.
Earthquakes are common in Turkey, which sits on several active fault lines. Istanbul, a city of more than 15 million people, has long been considered at risk for a major seismic event.
